Bird culling refers to the large-scale killing of birds, usually for disease control or to protect crops and livestock. In the UK, the main reasons for culling birds have been to control the spread of avian influenza (bird flu) and to reduce populations of certain goose species that damage agricultural crops.
Over the past two decades, millions of birds have been culled across the UK during avian influenza outbreaks. The largest culling operations have occurred in East Anglia, where the poultry industry is concentrated. Outbreaks in 2007, 2008 and 2020 led to the compulsory slaughter of millions of chickens, turkeys and ducks. Smaller-scale culling of backyard and hobby flocks has also taken place nationwide.
Goose culling has been implemented in Scotland and parts of England in recent years, targeting resident greylag and Canada geese that damage crops and grasslands. This culling aims to scare and reduce local populations rather than completely eradicate species.
Exact figures on total bird culling in the UK are difficult to ascertain as operations have been implemented by different agencies over many years. However, it is clear that millions of wild birds and poultry have been killed, often in controversial operations that prompt public opposition.
Avian Influenza Outbreaks
Avian influenza outbreaks have triggered the majority of mass culling operations in the UK. The following major epidemics resulted in millions of poultry being slaughtered:
2007 Outbreak
An H5N1 epidemic hit Suffolk in eastern England in 2007, marking the first incidence of highly pathogenic bird flu in the UK since 1992. To contain the outbreak, over 160,000 turkeys and chickens were culled at an infected Bernard Matthews turkey farm and nearby premises. Culling was achieved through gassing sheds with carbon dioxide. The outbreak was limited to this region and no human infections occurred.
2008 Outbreak
In 2008, avian influenza hit two linked sites in northern England – a turkey farm in Suffolk and a chicken farm in Norfolk. To control infection, over 150,000 birds were gassed. Temporary control zones were established around infected premises that limited the movement of poultry and eggs. No human transmission was recorded.
2020 Outbreak
The UK’s worst ever bird flu outbreak struck in late 2020, centred on Norfolk and Suffolk. Highly pathogenic H5N8 spread rapidly across chicken, turkey, duck, goose and gamebird farms. By early 2021, over 2 million birds had been culled, mostly by gassing and some by electrocution. The cull included over 1.6 million poultry on infected premises, plus a further 402,000 birds destroyed as a preventative measure. A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone were implemented around infected sites that restricted the movement of birds. No human infections occurred.
As well as large-scale commercial flocks, smaller backyard and hobby flocks were also hit by avian influenza. Over 25,000 birds were culled on these smaller premises during the 2020/21 winter epidemic.
2022 Outbreak
Outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 have occurred again in the UK in 2022, leading to further culling. As of October 2022, over 200 cases have been confirmed on commercial farms, backyard and hobby flocks across England, Wales and Scotland. Millions of birds have been culled, with over 3 million poultry slaughtered by September. The outbreak has been the largest on record in Scotland, where over 1.3 million birds have been humanely killed. Most culled birds have been gassed in sheds. Housing orders have been implemented that require poultry across the UK to be kept indoors to limit infection risk.
Goose Culling
In addition to disease control culls, some goose culling has also been implemented in parts of Britain in recent years to protect agricultural crops. This has involved:
Greylag Goose Culls
Annual licences have been issued in Scotland since 2020 to cull greylag geese in certain areas. Up to 13,000 birds can be shot each year under these licences that aim to frighten and disperse flocks rather than exterminate populations. Farmers say large flocks cause significant damage to crops and grass. The cull is controversial and opposed by conservation groups.
Canada Goose Culls
Canada goose culling has taken place in parts of England such as Norfolk,Yorkshire and Lancashire under annual licences issued since 2020. Numbers culled have been in the hundreds, targeted at resident geese that damage crops and grassland. Geese are shot and control is limited to specific problem sites rather than widespread culls.
Bird Flu Vaccine Development
Scientists have stepped up efforts to develop a bird flu vaccine that can help stem large-scale future outbreaks. Potential vaccines are being researched and tested by institutes including The Pirbright Institute, the University of Cambridge and the Royal Veterinary College. Vaccines aim to provide poultry with immunity and resistance to circulating avian influenza viruses. Prototype vaccines have progressed to commercial trials. If effective formulations are developed, vaccination could be rolled out to protect flocks and substantially reduce the need for mass culling during future epidemics. However, vaccines take time to research, trial and approve for widespread use.
Conclusion
Millions of wild birds and poultry have been culled in the UK over the past 15 years, predominantly in East Anglia and northern England. The vast majority of culling has been to contain outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza such as H5N1 and H5N8 that can wipe out commercial flocks. Smaller numbers of greylag and Canada geese have also been culled to protect crops and grassland.
Culling on an enormous scale was seen during the UK’s worst ever bird flu epidemic in 2020/21 when over 2 million poultry were slaughtered. However, the continued threat of avian influenza and recurrence of outbreaks means this record is likely to be exceeded in the future. Vaccine development offers hope of reducing reliance on culling for disease control. But for now, bird flu outbreaks inevitably lead to the destruction of huge numbers of birds. The UK poultry industry remains vulnerable and further widespread culling seems inevitable when the next epidemic emerges.